The 1981 All-East football team consists of American football players chosen by the Associated Press as the best players at each position among the Eastern colleges and universities during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season.

Offense

Quarterback

• Dan Marino, Pitt (AP-1)

Running backs

• Rich Diana, Yale (AP-1)
• Eddie Meyers, Navy (AP-1)

Tight end

• Mark Raugh, West Virginia (AP-1)

Wide receivers

• Julius Dawkins, Pitt (AP-1)
• Tom Rogers, Colgate (AP-1)

Tackles

• Jim Covert, Pitt (AP-1)
• Gerry Raymond, Boston College (AP-1)

Guards

• Sean Farrell, Penn State (AP-1)
• Mike Munchak, Penn State (AP-1)

Center

• Emil Boures, Pitt (AP-1)

Placekicker

• Gary Anderson, Syracuse (AP-1)

Defense

Ends

• Fred Leone, Yale (AP-1)
• Darryl Talley, West Virginia (AP-1)

Tackles

• Junior Poles, Boston College (AP-1)
• Leo Wisniewski, Penn State (AP-1)

Middle guard

• Tim Jordan, Navy (AP-1)

Linebackers

• Steve Conjar, Temple (AP-1)
• Chet Parlavecchio, Penn State (AP-1)
• Sal Sunseri, Pitt (AP-1)

Defensive backs

• Lind Murray, West Virginia (AP-1)
• Mark Robinson, Penn State (AP-1)
• Mike Williams, Army (AP-1)

Punter

• Ralph Giacomarro, Penn State (AP-1)

Key

• AP = Associated Press^[1]